In a major victory for Pearson VUE, Cisco has awarded it primary vendor status on Cisco certification exams worldwide.
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To meet global demand, Cisco is moving to a primary-vendor strategy with Pearson VUE so that the two organizations can mutually expand their investments.
This focused relationship will enable Cisco and Pearson VUE together to build a stronger infrastructure that will provide the following benefits:
1. Further innovation in technology to preserve the integrity and security of individual certification testing, thereby preserving the value of certification to employers.
2. Better market penetration into remote locations, as well as concentrated marketing outreach and recruitment efforts.
3. Greater convenience for Cisco customers and partners in testing locations (both mobile and fixed).
Be sure to view the following Cisco certification exam FAQs to answer all your concerns about the new exam primary vendor:
 "Pearson VUE has robust security measures in place at its global testing centers and we constantly evaluate our processes and technology to ensure we’re staying one step ahead of the industry in protecting the integrity of the exams we deliver," said Robert Whelan, president of Pearson VUE. |
"We’re working closely with Cisco to develop new processes that will not only safeguard Cisco’s exams, but those of our other test sponsors as well."
"We’re thrilled to be partnering with Cisco on this new initiative and we look forward to a long and successful relationship."
 "We are investing heavily in Cisco educational initiatives around the world to ensure proper coverage of technical skills for our customers, our partners and ourselves," said Jeanne Beliveau-Dunn, senior director of Learning@Cisco. |
“Our overall goal for developing technical talent is to have the right people, in the right place, at the right time so that our customers and partners have the best possible experience with our technology."
"We’re confident that as a result of this collaboration, Cisco certifications will continue to be highly regarded and relevant to employers across the globe."
"Our certification strategy and its related partnerships are critical to achieving our objective."
"We are dramatically expanding Cisco’s technical certification systems by improving the delivery of cutting-edge technical training curricula, developing professional learning communities, expanding global coverage and aggressively improving certification security worldwide."
"Ultimately, this will help in the recruitment and retention of solid technical talent as well as increase the overall brand value of Cisco certifications."
Related story:
Network World - The cheating industry that is devaluing IT certification - part one
How do Cisco certification holders feel about Pearson VUE becoming the primary vendor for Cisco certification exams worldwide?
Do you think it will make cheating more difficult?
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Score: VUE - 2, Prometric - 3
I believe that is the score as of today.
Recent Changes
Oracle - Vue and Prometric
IBM - Prometric
Microsoft - Prometric
Cisco - Vue
From what I've been reading around the internet, Exam Candidates prefer VUE over Prometric by a landslide. It seems that most people are merely concerned with distances they will now have to travel to reach the testing center of their choice and that most candidates feel they are being put-out because the vendors are cutting off their 'oxygen-supply'. Of the hundreds of replies that I've read in some of the Microsoft channels, 95% of those replies are oppositional and 99% of those that are oppositional are self-centered as well.
Personally, I think this is a good move for all of the certification vendors. Unfortunately, because they're choosing only one vendor, so it is going to upset/disappoint people from every angle.
I feel that this move will make a significant change in the future of IT Certifications. All-in-all I'm glad that the Certification Vendors are moving to better secure their exams and the information involved, but I'm also wondering if the recent changes will trigger subsequent changes within VUE/Prometric as well. Will the move to a sole-vendor prove better or worse when it comes to Exam Security & Integrity? Will VUE/Prometric join forces in the future?
Here are some points I previously raised in another venue that I believe are justifiable reasons for the moves being made by the certification vendors:
#1 Fewer testing centers, fewer possibilities of the exams being rehashed by braindump companies.
#2 Hired Gunmen will have fewer opportunities to take proxy tests for people, and it will be easier to track/catch them if they do.
#3 Fewer testing centers, fewer people frivolously getting certified whenever they FEEL like it. Ultimately resulting in people that NEED to certify, getting certified. (Cisco has proven this with their CCIE Program)
As for the cheating; this is one step in the right direction, but there are still many other measures that need to be taken.
Pearson VUE doesn't have enough test centers or avail hours.
Preserving the integrity and security of the exams is important. However I disagree with points 2 and 3. This this will not provide greater convenience or market penetration.
I currently work as a network engineer in the Dallas Fort Worth area and with Thompson Prometric I had at least the convenience of evening or weekend exams at their centers located within a 20 mile area. With only the choice of Pearson VUE in our area, the hours are limited to only a couple of test centers that only offer exams during the day and are 30 miles or more away. Even though the Pearson VUE website shows more than 2 test centers in our area, several have no hours available. With this decision it will be more difficult for me and other working network professionals take off during a regular work day to take a Cisco exam.
Martin